A passenger has called for a British Airways flight attendant to get a pay rise after she restrained an alleged drunken man during a confrontation on a Heathrow flight.
The man was travelling on the BA275 from Heathrow to Las Vegas when the confrontation unfolded on the flight, which was carrying around 300 passengers.
Shocking footage recorded by passenger Bou’s tour manager shows a female flight attendant stepping in as tensions escalated, repeatedly ordering the man to sit down.
Bou, who was seated on the other side of the aircraft, said he could hear a commotion.
The video shows the flight attendant warning the passenger: “I will be restraining you, sir, if you do not sit down.”
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He appears to ignore repeated instructions by cabin crew to “stay seated, sir” and “listen to instructions” as he becomes increasingly abusive towards staff and other passengers.
Bou praised the flight attendant for her handling of the incident, saying she was doing “the most out of everyone”, adding “big love to her,” as he called for her to receive a pay rise.
The confrontation forced the aircraft to abort its take-off with just seconds to go.
The passenger was later escorted off the flight by armed Metropolitan Police officers.
It is unclear what initially sparked the confrontation.
Responding to the incident, a spokesperson for British Airways said: “Disruptive or abusive behaviour is never tolerated on board, and the safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority.
“When these incidents occur, the appropriate action will always be taken.”
A spokesperson from Metropolitan Police said officers were called out following “reports of a passenger being disruptive on an outbound plane’ at around 5.30pm on Thursday, August 6.
“The plane returned to the terminal to allow officers to board the plane.”
Identifying a man who has now been charged, they continued: ‘Emmet Moynihan, 31 (10.03.1995) of Mount Vernon, Cork, Ireland, was charged on Friday, 7 August, with being drunk on an aircraft and disobeying the orders of the captain.
“He has been bailed to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 26 August.”
